ing deep schemes to ruin thee, and once very nearly succeeded. For two
years he has been at work in a new way; his plans are about matured, and
_you will soon be in his power!_"

This last clause was spoken slowly, and emphasized on every word. All the
time he was speaking, Ellen's feelings became more and more intensely
excited, and, at the close, had reached the limit of control. For a moment
she was overcome, and leaned against a tree for support; but seeing the
stranger make a motion as though to assist her, she rallied again, and,
becoming more composed, demanded:

"How know you these things of which you speak?"

"It matters but little to thee, to know more than the facts in the case;
these I tell thee, but no more."

"Then you have come as a kind friend to warn me of my danger?"

"Aye, and more."

"Thanks! thanks! and pardon me if, at the first, I looked with suspicion on
a friend. The circumstances of our meeting is my apology for the ungenerous
thought."

"Thou hadst cause to suspect, if not to fear me, and for thy thought I have
no need to pardon thee. But my mission is not yet completed."

"Then let us go to the house of my father, which is but a short way off,
and there hear what further is to be said."

"No, I have but little time, and this place will answer my purpose quite as
well as your father's house, with the situation of which I am well
acquainted."

"Indeed! Then you are not a stranger in these parts?"

"Not entirely so; but as my business was with you, more particularly, it
was natural that I should familiarize myself with your place of abode,
that, if need be, I might render myself efficient in a case of emergency,
which may arrive but too soon."

This allusion to danger re-awakened Ellen's apprehensions, which noticing,
he continued:

"I have told you of overhanging peril; yet I have told you but half. You
are unable to escape from the net that is woven around you--you have no
means in your power to free yourself from the unseen toils that have been
secretly laid to ensnare you. Every step you take is one of danger, and
every effort you make to flee from that danger, may but drive you nearer to
destruction. Such is the nature of your enemy's operations, that while they
are secret, they are sure; and so thoroughly has every preparation been
made, and so exact has every minute particular been examined and attended
to, there is no possibility of his scheme failing, and equally no
poss